Loud blast heard at Riyadh airport as airlines cancel more flights

A loud explosion was reported at Riyadh International Airport on Saturday, prompting an emergency response and evacuations, according to eyewitness accounts and officials. The incident occurred amidst ongoing missile strikes by Houthi rebels from Yemen, who have repeatedly targeted Saudi Arabia since a conflict escalated this month.

The airport has faced two attacks already this week, resulting in four casualties and extensive damage to aircraft. Saudi authorities have not provided comment on the latest blast. Flight tracking service Flightradar24 reported that all scheduled flights to Riyadh either diverted or were canceled, leaving only a single helicopter visible over the airport at one point.

The facility advised passengers to contact their carriers for updates on flight statuses. Major airlines such as Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways announced multiple cancellations, with some extending into Monday. Kuwait Airways also suspended services citing the security situation. Prior Houthi attacks on Thursday and previous in the week had already led several carriers to suspend or cancel operations to Riyadh, ahead of the city hosting significant energy and investment conferences.

Organizers of these conferences affirmed they would proceed as planned, reassuring attendees of robust security measures. The Houthis have threatened to prohibit commercial flights from Saudi airspace, branding it a combat zone following Riyadh's recent offensive against the group.